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Preserving
Member-Run Unionism
Current
Bargaining
Trends
Negotiations seem tougher? You are not alone if you think so,
especially in the area of health care coverage.
For the fourth year in a row,
health care cost increases have been two-and-a-half times the general consumer
price index for the same period. And very few employers are willingly absorbing
the entire increase.
Soaring
Costs
The average annual cost of health insurance reached $4,430
(or $369/month) per employee in 2000 and increased to $4,917 (or
$410/month) in 2001, an 11% increase. Projected costs for 2002 soar ever higher,
with small employers facing projected 20% increase; larger employers are
expected to see about a 12% increase.
According to the Bureau of National Affairs, which surveys 400
companies around the country for negotiations trends, 96% of all employers now
require some form of cost sharing on health care benefits. Of those, 89% require
co-payments, 87% require deductibles, and 73% require premium contributions.
Biggest
Bargaining
Issue
And for this round of negotiations, 51% of employers report they
are seeking increased worker payments.
Trying to keep health care cost-shifting from wiping out wage
gains isn’t the only issue in negotiations, but it’s been one of the biggest
in 2001.
Other big health care issues have centered around various forms
of health care cost-sharing and cost containment (see chart).
For more information on these and other bargaining trends and
some things to do to get the best possible contract, contact UE to schedule a
presentation of "Current Bargaining Trends." Call 412-471-8919, email
us, or use this form to request
more information.
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